Happy Holidays

Watch Focus Points

Strong Curriculum

Watch Focus Points

Thank a Teacher

Watch Focus Points

We Salute You!

View Focus Points

Congrats Smith Band for Placing 11th in State!

Congrats Smith Band for Placing 11th in State!

Check Out Upcoming Fine Arts Events

Check Out Upcoming Fine Arts Events including...

Bravo!

Watch Focus Points

We Have An All-Star Staff!

Watch Focus Points

Red Ribbon Week: It Isn’t Just a Week – It’s about Healthy Choices All Year Long

Watch Focus Points

The Largest Chain Restaurant in Town

Watch Focus Points

Rich History and Future of C-FB ISD

Watch Focus Points

Professional Development: Never Stop Improving

Watch Focus Points

Reading and Parent Involvement are Critical to Student Success

Here is an interesting excerpt from an article I read recently. While I don't agree with all of the article, I do agree that reading to children is crucial. I also believe that volunteering in our schools is a key to our success. Parents who are involved in their child's school and read to their children make a lasting impact on their child's success.

"In that same international study, parents who routinely read to their young children raised teenagers who performed significantly better on a test of critical thinking in reading years later—even after controlling for the effects of socioeconomic background. Likewise, parents who discussed movies, books, and the news with their kids had teenagers who not only performed better in reading—but reported enjoying reading more overall. In fact, if parents simply read for pleasure at home, on their own, their children were more likely to enjoy reading, too. That pattern held fast across very different countries and income levels. Kids noticed what parents valued, and it mattered more than what parents said."

From: Ban School Bake Sales, By Amanda Ripley

The Great Eight

Watch Focus Points

The Great Eight

True Grit: It's Not Just a Movie

Watch Focus Points

More on Grit

Sync Up with C-FB

Sync Up with C-FB ISD

'NSYNC: Get in Sync with C-FB

Watch Focus Points

iCare: We Care in C-FB

Watch Focus Points

iCare Customer Service Initiative

“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so.” -  Mahatma Gandhi

Watch the iCare Customer Service Video

Welcome Home

Watch Focus Points

Stay Stay Stay

Watch Focus Points

Join Me on August 14 - Builder a Stronger Community

View Focus Points 

Ambassador Celebration with Author Jamie Vollmer

On August 14 from 2-3:30 pm in the R. L. Turner Auditorium (1600 Josey Lane in Carrollton), we will host an Ambassador Celebration.  If you are an Ambassador or you want to be one - I invite you to join us for a very special event.

Jamie Vollmer, who wrote Schools Cannot Do It Alone, will speak with Ambassadors about our important job. Jamie says, “Public education is a miracle. And this is its most hopeful time.”

Everyone is welcome to come and be inspired by a public education advocate. The Celebration is on August 14 from 2-3:30 in the R. L. Turner Auditorium. I hope to see you there.

C-FB ISD’s Report Card – Made Plain and Simple

C-FB ISD uses an outside, independent firm called Education Resource Group (ERG) to assess our achievement. ERG ranks every school district in Texas using three key measures. They are:

• Academic achievement is measured by the Academic Performance Index or API
• Financial efficiency is measured by the Financial Performance Index or FPI
• Together the API and FPI are used to measure overall performance of a district measuring both achievement and financial efficiency with the Education Productivity Index or EPI

So how does C-FB rank?

Our API (academic performance) is 7. Out of the 200 largest school districts in Texas*, we have the 7th best academic performance.

Our FPI (financial efficiency) is 41. Out of the 200 largest school districts in Texas, we outperform 139 others in the area of using our money effectively and efficiently.

Our EPI (academic and financial rankings together) is 6. But how did we get to six? Well, of the 6 other districts ahead of us in academic performance, some of them spend more than us and are less efficient with their resources. Therefore, when you put the academic (API) and financial (FPI) piece together, we move up to six.

API + FPI = EPI

There it is – the school district’s report card made plain and simple.

*The 200 largest districts in Texas educate over 80% of the children in Texas.

Online Annual Report for 2011-2012 School Year Available

View the district's online Annual Report which helps you understand how C-FB ISD students are achieving and it gives you a sense of the district’s fiscal and operational effectiveness.

Online Annual Report

The 2011-2012 Annual Report was delayed in being published as the district waited for final achievement results from the state regarding STAAR and EOC.

End of Year Message - Celebrating our Stories of Success

Watch Focus Points

A Message from the Superintendent

It is hard to believe that the school year ends today. It has been a great year. Our C-FB team is exceptional and I thank you for your effort and dedication to student achievement.

As the school year ends, we have team members who are retiring from public education and some who are joining other districts. We will miss each of you and we wish you well as you embark on your new journey.

Vince Lombardi once said, “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” Thank you for your commitment to our goal of high achievement for all students. With our collective effort, we have accomplished much this year.

Have a great summer. Take time to refresh and relax.

Convocation 2013

Seems unusual to be talking about the 2013-2014 school year when 2012-2013 is just ending...But the plans are in the works for a great 2013-2014 school year.

I am excited to see everyone together for Convocation on August 20, 2013 in the R. L. Turner Auditorium. here is the schedule:

• High School – 8 am
• Middle School and all Other Departments- 10:15 am
• Elementary – 1 pm

This year's theme is Design. Improve. Achieve.  Each session will be a wonderful time to reconnect and to get energized for a new year.  I am really excited to announce that our Convocation speaker is a C-FB alumnus Michael Brick who wrote Saving the School.

I look forward to seeing everyone there!

Stories of Success

We are launching a new series called "Stories of Success." We will be highlighting current students, alumni, staff and business partners that achieve at high levels. This feature will focus on individuals and groups who exhibit our character values of cooperation, integrity, pride, respect, responsibility, service and citizenship.

Have a story of success to share? Submit it at http://www.cfbisd.edu/success.

Our Story of Success

Watch Focus Points

"Action is the foundational key to all success." - Pablo Picasso

Finish Strong

Watch Focus Points

Compensation: A Token of Our Gratitude

Watch Focus Points

2013-14 Employee Raise and Related Compensation Adjustments

Two of the top three priorities identified by the Board of Trustees at the Compensation Work Study were to implement a district/collective performance pay plan and maintain the District longevity pay plan. We believe that the employees of Team C-FB have gone above and beyond what has been required of them in order to achieve the goal of “High Achievement for All Students”.

Accordingly, the District believes that evidence of this work is reflected in the annual Education Resource Group (ERG) ranking of districts. By using multiple data, the Education Resource Group (ERG) annually determines the educational productivity of all Texas school districts in three performance areas: overall educational value, academic performance and finance performance. C-FB increased academic performance moving from 17th out of the largest 200 school districts to 7th.  That puts C-FB in the top 4% of the largest districts in Texas for academic performance.
On May 2, 2013 the School Board authorized the following compensation adjustments:

1) General Pay Increase - Provide a 2.5% pay increase(based upon 2012-13 pay rate) for all eligible employees. (effective at the beginning of the 2013-14 assignment)

2) Collective Performance Pay - Implement a one-time $500 collective performance supplemental payment for eligible employees. (See Exhibit A for a description of eligibility and timeline for payment)

3) Longevity Pay - Maintain the current longevity pay system of $100 per year at each 5 year anniversary point, with the addition of a flat amount of $500 for a specified anniversary point at or above 20 years. (See Exhibit B for a description of eligible employees and timeline for payment)

These compensation adjustments support the efforts of Team C-FB to achieve the goal of “High Achievement for All Students."

Click here for detailed eligibility information about the compensation adjustments. 

Press release regarding compensation adjustments

C-FB ISD School Board Approves Raise for Staff

In the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, our staff members are dedicated and passionate about students achieving at high levels. There is no greater collective group of individuals who use their talents and skills for the education of students than the members of Team C-FB.

According to the 2011-2012 data from the Education Resource Group (ERG), C-FB is ranked 7th out of the 200 largest school districts in Texas for our academic achievements. This is an improvement of 10 spots moving from 17 to 7 in academic success.

In appreciation for our team’s effort, hard-work and outstanding results in student achievement, the School Board has approved a two and half percent raise for all employees for 2013-2014. It is a token of the Board’s appreciation to our staff members for their continued commitment to high achievement for all students.

Congratulations Team C-FB on your success.

A Time to Get Excited

Watch Focus Points 

As most of you know, I am a fairly reserved man. But I recently got very excited..

Before I finish my story, let me give you a little history:

Since I was named superintendent in 2009, we have remained focused on one goal: high achievement for all students. Our commitment to this goal has paid high dividends in the lives of our students and will help us build a stronger community. 

For several years, we have used an outside research firm which analyzes and ranks all school districts in Texas. The group is called the Education Resource Group (ERG). I have mentioned them before. They are an impartial and unbiased group that tracks the academic and financial progress of public school districts. For the past two years, C-FB ISD has been ranked 17 out of the largest 200 school districts in Texas for our academic success. The 200 largest school districts in Texas educate more than 80% of the students in Texas.

Back to my excitement. A week ago, we received word from ERG that the rankings for the 2011-2012 school year had been completed. Since the state changed the state tests and the accountability system, it caused the data to be released much later than usual. We have been waiting anxiously for the results.

Through the hard work of Team C-FB, we have jumped 10 spots from 17 to 7. Let me repeat that…C-FB is now ranked 7th out of academic achievement. When ERG released the new rankings, I was elated. I smiled so big and nothing could take that smile away. I knew we would do well. But when you hear the words, it is a feeling that you can’t describe.

It is appropriate that today we are hosting THE EVENT in the Downtown Carrollton Square from 3-7 pm celebrating our success. We have much to celebrate!

Thank you staff.
Thank you students.
Thank you parents.
Thank you Ambassadors.
Thank you businesses.
Thank you community members.

C-FB is the best school district in Texas and the nation. For the past several months, we have talked about the Top Ten Reasons to Choose C-FB ISD. Reason 1: The commitment and support of our staff and community leads to high student achievement. That's the reason we are now number 7. And it is a time to get excited.

Thank You Team C-FB & Volunteers!

Watch Focus Points

Today, I want to focus on two words. Words we don’t use enough and sometimes we use them too flippantly. I speak them today with sincerity and from the heart. “Thank You!”

Thank you to our staff, volunteers, Ambassadors, business community, city leaders, and tax payers for your commitment and support of your great school system.

This has been a truly wonderful year with amazing accomplishments. It is appropriate that during Teacher Appreciation Week that we take the time to thank our staff and volunteers for their tireless efforts to make C-FB the best school system in the nation.

Journalist Henry B. Adams wrote: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” At

the heart of any effective public school system are our people. Regardless of their roles or assignments, every staff member helps with student achievement. Without them, we could not meet our goal of high student achievement of all students.

We, also, value the crucial support of our volunteers

and business partners. From working in the libraries, in the classrooms, or on special projects, our volunteers are an essential aspect of our school system. Through the efforts and dedication of our staff and volunteers, our community is a great place to work, live and go to school.

The Board of Trustees and I thank the C-FB ISD educational team and volunteers for a great school year. Thank you for joining us on May 10 from 3-7 pm in Downtown Carrollton at THE EVENT. Through this fun, family-oriented celebration, we want to thank our employees and the many volunteers that support C-FB ISD.
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Join us on May 10 from 3-7 pm in the Downtown Carrollton Square for THE EVENT.

Thank you to all of our sponsors, businesses and organizations that support C-FB ISD.  See more at http://cfbevent.blogspot.com/. 

Successful Steps

Watch Focus Points

This week, I joined Metrocrest Social Services to help them win a grant for $20,000 to feed C-FB students through a program called Sack Summer Hunger. How did I help? I went back to my athletics days and ran the steps at Standridge Stadium. I ran 800 stairs representing the 800 students that this grant will feed this summer.

In C-FB ISD, we are committed to partnering with local organizations and agencies to help our students. Every day, our staff members find innovative and creative ways to meet the needs of C-FB students. They are committed to providing a learning environment where our students will achieve at high levels.

One of our strategic objectives is “Continuously improve the learning environment for students and staff.” Our staff members are committed to making sure that students eat healthy meals at school and home, have a caring adult mentoring them and have that their basic necessities are met. To meet this objective, sometimes, we have to partner with outside organizations like Metrocrest Social Services, Rotary Clubs and our PTAs.

I want to ask you to consider partnering with us to help us meet our goal of high achievement for all students. 

•  Can you commit to mentoring a student each week? 
•  Would you donate food to Metrocrest Social Services? 
•  Do you have clothes that you can donate to the PTA Clothes Closet? 
• Can you volunteer at your child’s school? 

I encourage you to get involved. Together, we can guide our students through the steps (or in this case - Stadium steps) to be successful. Will you partner with us?

Vote Through April for the Metrocrest Social Services Grant

Volunteer in C-FB ISD

Mentor Program at Field and Farmers Branch

PTA Clothes Closet

Metrocrest Social Services

Your Children Need YOU: Parent Involvement is Essential

Watch Focus Points

Today, I had planned to talk to you about parent involvement. In light of the tragedies in Boston and West, this issue is even more important. Our children are bombarded at an early age with issues that are difficult to process. They see, hear and read about tragedy all too often.

We, as the adults, must help protect and prepare our children for the uncertainty of life. I have said it before but I want to reiterate it - we must talk to our children. Turn off the tv and digital devices – and interact with your children. Engaging kids in age-appropriate conversations is crucial to their development. Our kids need to talk and process all kinds of issues. And we, as parents must listen and ask important questions to help them process the tragedies around them. From the anxiety of taking state tests to the pressures of college admissions, our students face emotional issues that they need to talk through. I encourage you to spend time each day talking to your child. Engage in conversation. Ask about their hopes, dreams, fears, and anxieties. Talking does help.

Several of our campuses including Davis, Riverchase, Bush, Ranchview, Kent, and McLaughlin Strickland have programs specifically for dads. The programs help dads connect with their children in a deep and much needed way. Dads, get involved. Be present in your child's life. Talk to your children. And become involved

in your child's school.


I want to remind you that we have professional counselors on each campus. If you and your child need help or guidance, use them as a resource.

Remember this: Talk, talk, talk. Engage, engage, engage. Together, let’s commit to being involved in our children’s lives.

The Prescription for Growing Your Brain

Did you notice that today’s Focus Points did not include a video? I wanted you to read. (Yes, you can count this as your daily dose of reading.) 

Want to “grow” your brain? Read on to discover the secret prescription.

Did you know that April 2 is International Children’s Book Day? I learned an interesting fact this week: April the 2nd was chosen as International Children’s Book Day because it's the same date as Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, the author of many famous children's stories such as The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.

Reading is fundamental to achievement. In C-FB, our goal is high achievement for all students. In order to achieve our goal - we need the help of parents to encourage reading. All of our students need to read or be read to by family members every day. Every. Day. And parents, family members, friends, staff, volunteers – we need your help. Encourage the children that are in your life to read. Read for school. Read for fun. Just read.

I recently read an article that captured my attention about an organization called Reach Out and Read. The article explained that the organization encourages doctors to inspire their patients, particularly parents, to read to their young children. The organization’s tag line is “Books build better brains.” I couldn't have said it better myself.

Annie Murray Paul wrote, in a New York Times article titled "Your Brain on Fiction," "Stories, this research is showing, stimulate the brain and even change how we act in life." She added, "Reading great literature, it has long been averred, enlarges and improves us as human beings. Brain science shows this claim is truer than we imagined."

So what is the prescription for building a child’s brain? The answer: Reading. Read great books to your young children every day. And have your older children read a book to you every day. Teenagers should be reading for pleasure every day also.

Do you need tips on reading with your child? Check out the resources provided by Reach Out and Read here. 

Why C-FB? Ask Me!

Watch Focus Points

I am often asked, “What makes C-FB special? What sets it apart from other districts? Why should I choose to send my child to C-FB?” My answer is two-fold.

Last week, we talked about focus. Our district’s focus on high achievement sets us apart. The key ingredient to making high achievement a reality is our people. Our staff, no matter what department they work in, is committed to high achievement for all students. This commitment is paying great dividends in the lives of our students.

Why C-FB? Well, I want to share with you some exciting celebrations about students succeeding at the highest level. This school year, our students have won three State Championships. 

• Heiley Garcia - Women's Wrestling State Champion Heiley Garcia is a senior at R. L. Turner High School and is the first female wrestler to earn the title of State Champion for C-FB ISD. 

• Michael Ferguson - Texas Forensic Association Humorous Interpretation State Champion Michael Ferguson is a junior at Creekview High School and earned the title of State Champion by competing against the 134 students. 

• Creekview High School Mock Trial Team - Mock Trial State Champions The Creekview High School Mock Trial Team is the 2012-2013 State Champion. 

Want to share these celebrations with your friends, family, or neighbors? Well, we have created a new publication called “Why C-FB? Ask Me!”. Each month we will highlight the great things happening in C-FB ISD. Download this flyer and share it with someone.

We have hundreds and hundreds of other stories of student success. I encourage you to read through our accolades on the C-FB ISD website (www.cfbisd.edu/accolades.) Our students are accomplishing amazing feats. Congratulations to the students and their teachers!

Why C-FB? Ask Me! Flyer